‘Cyber Seafaring’: The Zwaanendael Museum’s virtual maritime-history series, Oct. 1–3, 2020

-All activities to be presented free via Zoom; registration required-

Between Oct. 1 and 3, 2020, Lewes, Del.’s Zwaanendael Museum will present “Cyber Seafaring,” a four-part series of presentations on the Lewes/Cape Henlopen region’s maritime history. NOTE: Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Cyber Seafaring programs will not be conducted in front of a live audience but will instead be streamed live via Zoom. Each of the programs is free and open to its first 100 registrants.

Photo of the Cyber Seafaring poster

Viewers MUST REGISTER for each individual program at the link following each program description in the schedule below. Registrants will receive e-mail confirmation and instructions for accessing each session. For additional information, contact the Zwaanendael Museum via e-mail at HCA_ZMevents@delaware.gov or by telephone at 302-645-1148. Go to the following for information on how to join a Zoom meeting.

“Cyber Seafaring” schedule

Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.
“Menhaden Fishing in Lewes”
Local historian Robert Kennedy will cover the last 30 years of the Lewes based, largest commercial menhaden fishing operation in the world. It will include what menhaden are, how they were caught, how they were processed and the myriad products that include menhaden as an essential ingredient.

Go to the following to register for this program.

Photo of watermen hauling in a menhaden catch.
Watermen hauling in a menhaden catch

Friday, Oct. 2, 2020 at 11 a.m.
“Diving Into History, A Look at Maritime Archaeology”

Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs archaeologist Stephanie Soder will present the history and methods of maritime archaeology, and discuss work completed on Delaware’s famous (and infamous) wrecks.

Go to the following to register for this program.

Photo of a diver returning from an archaeological investigation of the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck site in Delaware Bay on Oct. 11, 2006.
Diver returning from an archaeological investigation of the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck site in Delaware Bay on Oct. 11, 2006

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 at 11 a.m.
“The Wreck of the DeBraak”

Join the staff of the Zwaanendael Museum as they share the history of the British warship DeBraak from the day it sank to the day it was salvaged. Learn about the complexities of an 18th century sailor’s life and of shipwreck preservation.

Go to the following to register for this program.

Photo of a painting depicting the capsizing of the DeBraak
Artistic rendition of the capsizing of the DeBraak by Peggy Kane, 1990

Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.
“Fort Miles, 50 Years of Service”

Tyler Dreiblatt, interpretive programs manager for the Fort Miles Museum and Historic Area, will explore how the Cape Henlopen stronghold protected the Delmarva region for half a century by preparing for German battleships, Soviet submarines, the threat of nuclear war and more.

Go to the following to register for this program.

Historical photo of a gun battery at Fort Miles
Historical photo of a gun battery at Fort Miles

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters. The museum’s exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. The museum is administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the State of Delaware.

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